western races

[mick]

........ there really needs to be some thought put into trying to improve the financial model so that it makes it more feasible for teams to participate.

couldn't agree more, especially now with a competitor series. i think nitro purses are awarded/based on how many Q runs are made?
if you get 1-5 independents to show up so you have 16 cars to eliminate on sunday, maybe all the competitors should be awarded a set amount,
whether they make 1 Q pass, or all of them. don't penalize them for not running every run, award them for showing up and filling your field.
from what i understand, the sunday TV broadcast is a big part of how a sponsor looks at nhra. IMO the sunday show is the big sell.
aren't we competing against F1, indy car, and nascar? last time i looked those series never race with a short field. rules are in place so everyone shows up.

 

[Joe]

I haven't seen this much doom and gloom in years. Deep breath everyone, it will be fine. As for Salinas proof, the only proof I have is Lohnes on his podcast saying she has funding to run races later this year. IHRA had 8 TF cars show up and it was the greatest thing ever, but NHRA has 11 cars show up at the most northwestern event they have and the world is coming to an end. I am willing to put $$ down the 11 car NHRA show will blow away what we saw in Columbus last weekend.

It won't blow away Krista's reaction after TF final. Other than Del, all nitro drivers got the biggest paydays so far. I'm coming from Texas for the last one in NC. I would think Darrell has even bigger things for next year.

 

[Chili]

Jerry Freeman committed on here that Cameron is driving Ron August’s car.

It is definitely the Smith car.

 

[Ketchup]

It is definitely the Smith car.

Sorry, got the last names mixed up. Not a rental deal.

 

[Paul]

aren't we competing against F1, indy car, and nascar? last time i looked those series never race with a short field. rules are in place so everyone shows up.

NASCAR races with short fields nearly every race, they only get 40 cars a few races a year.

 

[mick]

NASCAR races with short fields nearly every race, they only get 40 cars a few races a year.

i believe there are 36 charters, which in turn guarantees 36 cars per race. some larger races yes, independents try to qualify for additional positions.

 

[65 Goatboy]

It was fairly common when you would only have one session on Friday for a few years. Im pretty sure when Sonoma had the one pro session at 7:30pm Friday, sportsman made their first runs at noon on Friday. Same thing when we had one session in Phoenix at 5:00pm the first sportsman runs were at 10:30. Since I think the only pro session tonight is at 8pm, no sense starting sportsman cars at 8 am. Makes for a stupid long day for all the safety safari guys for no reason.

One name I was surprised to not see on the entry list for Top Fuel and I hope everything is ok with him was Ron Smith. Ive never been to Seattle and never met the man but I always enjoyed the fact even though it is the only race he runs all year and with what it takes to certify everything on the car and the amount of work he puts in to run his one race is admirable.

The track schedule for Q1 shows both nitro classes starting at 9:15 pm pacific time! That is 11:15 pm central time and 12:15 eastern time. 2/3 of the country might already be in bed, including me. The two qualifying shows on Sat. are enough for me anyway.

 

[Joe]

The track schedule for Q1 shows both nitro classes starting at 9:15 pm pacific time! That is 11:15 pm central time and 12:15 eastern time. 2/3 of the country might already be in bed, including me. The two qualifying shows on Sat. are enough for me anyway.

How many will make all 4 qualifiers? With 11 TF's, Make 2, save parts for next race.

 

[Chili]

I will be there all 3 days and the 11 car show will blow away the IHRA race last weekend.

The weather looks great. Maybe just maybe, I will see 340 plus mph.

It’s unfortunate that there is only 11 TF cars but all the matchups will be huge. It’s actually better to qualify #2 than #1. First round you’re more than likely to get Cam Ferre who most likely will be the 11th qualifier. If you can get by a tough second round matchup you get a bye into the final.

 

[Chili]

How many will make all 4 qualifiers? With 11 TF's, Make 2, save parts for next race.

I would almost guarantee that the 9 touring cars will make all four sessions unless they have catastrophic damage from one of their other runs. It would make sense for Ida to skip a session or two but they seem to make all the attempts at the events they attend. Ferre will most likely only make one hit but maybe does one each day.

 

[J]

The track schedule for Q1 shows both nitro classes starting at 9:15 pm pacific time! That is 11:15 pm central time and 12:15 eastern time. 2/3 of the country might already be in bed, including me. The two qualifying shows on Sat. are enough for me anyway.

God for bid they start at 1115 and show pro stock too,but nhra hates pro stock... guess i wont stay up and support it if they only showing nitro,lol

 

[Custom Body Fan]

What has happened to Blake Alexander since his incident a few races ago? Will we see him back this year? Or ever?

Blake has been at the track each race since his incident. He’s been in the CGM pit. But his clothes only say CGM. No mention of Pronto or Shaffler on his clothes. That doesn’t seem good. He’s worked incredibly hard. I hope this isn’t a permanent setback for him. Especially if it all actually happened on a golf cart and he makes sure it never happens again.

 

[Paul]

i believe there are 36 charters, which in turn guarantees 36 cars per race. some larger races yes, independents try to qualify for additional positions.

30 active now that Front Row and 23XI temporarily lost their charters. That's an ongoing circus over there.

 

[Fireball]

It won't blow away Krista's reaction after TF final. Other than Del, all nitro drivers got the biggest paydays so far. I'm coming from Texas for the last one in NC. I would think Darrell has even bigger things for next year.

I think we all know already that you’re going to North Carolina for the last race. You’ve only said it….I don’t know how many times.

 

[Fireball]

I think we all know already that you’re going to North Carolina for the last race. You’ve only said it….I don’t know how many times.

AND that you’ve been in Dixon’s two seater.

 

[Fireball]

AND that you’ve been in Dixon’s two seater.

We got it…..go you!

 

[z28]

The track schedule for Q1 shows both nitro classes starting at 9:15 pm pacific time! That is 11:15 pm central time and 12:15 eastern time. 2/3 of the country might already be in bed, including me. The two qualifying shows on Sat. are enough for me anyway.

free streaming on youtube if you can stay up

 

[J. S.]

Blake has been at the track each race since his incident. He’s been in the CGM pit. But his clothes only say CGM. No mention of Pronto or Shaffler on his clothes. That doesn’t seem good. He’s worked incredibly hard. I hope this isn’t a permanent setback for him. Especially if it all actually happened on a golf cart and he makes sure it never happens again.

Chris: Thanks for the update on Blake. I agree that he seems to be a hard working guy. People should get a few chances in life and not a one-strike-you're-out deal. Though not sure what the NHRA rules might be for his situation.

 

[J]

Blake has been at the track each race since his incident. He’s been in the CGM pit. But his clothes only say CGM. No mention of Pronto or Shaffler on his clothes. That doesn’t seem good. He’s worked incredibly hard. I hope this isn’t a permanent setback for him. Especially if it all actually happened on a golf cart and he makes sure it never happens again.

I thought i read his dad is pretty high up in the pronto buz? If so he will prob be alright

 

[Paul]

It won't blow away Krista's reaction after TF final. Other than Del, all nitro drivers got the biggest paydays so far. I'm coming from Texas for the last one in NC. I would think Darrell has even bigger things for next year.

You have fun at that 1/8th mile nitro race.... I will be in Vegas the week prior watching nearly 40 nitro cars battle for spots in those fields and watching teams race for a championship. Not to mention, it will be fully catered with booze and with club nitro passes. Oh yeah, I will be coming from a state far away from Nevada since that matters for some reason.

If Krista makes a NHRA final I will bet you her reaction will be 100x what it was in Columbus, but carry on....